Disney's animated feature Meet the Robinsons is filled with fun references, from the use of the song "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" to the quote from Walt Disney at the end. It's this blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot, though, during Lewis's initial trip to the future, that I enjoy the most.
It's funny because for so many years it was true. Tomorrowland in the Disney Parks was originally envisioned as a realistic portrayal of what the future might hold. Unfortunately, the future kept becoming the present faster than the parks could react. It's a challenge even Walt Disney faced in the early days of Disneyland.
Tomorrowland has since transitioned from science fact to science fiction, rendering it far more timeless. With apologies to Werner Weiss, the Tomorrowland of our memories has become Yesterland. Today, we take a quick look back by way of a few pictures from my second Walt Disney World visit, this time in 1983.
The entrance to Tomorrowland was once flanked by these two giant monoliths. From 1971 to 1982, the towers and walls were painted powder blue and water cascaded down from the peaks. By the early 80s, the waterfalls had proven unreliable, and an enhancement effort brought the colorful tile pattern you see in the image above (work on the tile was completed during the first half of my June 1983 visit).
In the distance, you can just make out the oval signs touting Mission to Mars (on the left) and America the Beautiful in Circle-Vision 360 (on the right). At the end of the promenade is another sight that wasn't there on opening day, the rocket pylon of the Star Jets sitting atop the platform for the WEDway PeopleMover.
The Star Jets opened in November 1974 as the first part of a major expansion of Tomorrowland that would be completed in 1975 with the additions of the PeopleMover, General Electric's Carousel of Progress and Space Mountain.
Space Mountain was originally sponsored by RCA, as Guests could plainly see from anywhere in Tomorrowland. It was RCA computer technology that helped make Space Mountain possible, with a ride system capable of controlling multiple trains on the track simultaneously.
The rocket car seen on the pylon out front was intended to help communicate to Guests just what sort of experience awaited them inside. This was, after all, the first time a roller coaster had been built inside in the dark. A similar technique was later deployed at Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney's Hollywood Studios. There, the train is inverted to clearly show that the ride will turn you (and the music industry) upside-down.
Closer inspection of the rocket car also reveals the original seating arrangement on Space Mountain. Passengers would sit straddling one of two benches, with a friend or family member sitting in their lap (the Matterhorn at Disneyland still uses this configuration). Seat belts held passengers in place during their journey. By 1989, the seat belt cars had been replaced with the current trains, in which each passenger has an individual seat and lap bar.
I so miss the waterfall pylons at the entrance to Tomorrowland. I clearly remember, during my first visits (1977 & 1982), standing at the railing of the bridge and watching the water jet down these things. I think the Tomorrowland entrance is just much less "grand" these days, without these structures.
ReplyDeleteTokyo Disneyland still has these structures at the entrance to their Tomorrowland. Even though the water falls no longer run, I hope they never tear them down!
ReplyDeletethanks for posting these pics Shawn. I had forgotten what that part of the park looked like when I first went in th 70's. But, after looking at your pics I do remember it quite well. You Rock!!!! Kristin- Ia.
ReplyDeleteMan, I loved the original look of Tomorrowland. It was beautiful. All those flowing lines and clean angles, the WEDway, the glass-fronted circlevision theater, the cafeteria overlooking the water and those huge waterfall pylons. Man, that was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI really hate the makeover they've given it.